Agenda Item Name:
Title
Support for Alachua Conservation Trust’s North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grant Application to obtain Funds for Land Conservation in eastern Alachua County.
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Presenter:
Andi Christman / (352) 262-5157
Description:
Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) is applying for North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) that, if awarded, will provide funding to both ACT and Alachua County, as grant recipients, for the acquisition of conservation land to protect wetlands within eastern Alachua County. Any award to ACT/Alachua County would be presented to the Board for approval in the form of a grant agreement at a future Board meeting. This is the third phase of NAWCA funding sought by ACT in eastern Alachua County, and each phase has included reimbursement to Alachua County of land acquisition dollars, as a component of the grant. Staff requests the Board to authorize the Chair to sign the attached Partner Contribution Statement, which staff will forward to ACT for use in ACT’s NAWCA grant application.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Authorize the Chair to sign the attached Partner Contribution Statement for Alachua Conservation Trust’s NAWCA grant application.
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Prior Board Motions:
On April 9, 2019, the Board placed Lochloosa Creek Flatwoods - Brown property on the Active Acquisition List (Full Fee). On May 26, 2020, the Board authorized the County Manager or her designee to sign and submit the 2020 partner contribution letters for Alachua Conservation Trust’s federal grant applications for RCPP and NAWCA (Phase 1). On March 23, 2021, the Board approved and authorized the Chair to execute the Contract to purchase the Lochloosa Slough - Fox Pen Connector Tract. On June 22, 2021, the Board authorized the Chair to sign the Partner Contribution Statement for Alachua Conservation Trust’s July 2021 NAWCA (Phase 2) grant application using Lochloosa Slough Fox Pen Connector acquisition funds as grant match. On August 24, 2021, the Board authorized the Chair to sign a revised Partner Contribution statement letter for Alachua Conservation Trust’s July 2021 NAWCA (Phase 2) grant application. On December 14, 2021, the Board authorized the County Manager or her designee to approve changes to the Partner Contribution Forms when are a reduction in funds requested in order to efficiently adjust applications as the need arises. On March 22, 2022, the Board approved and authorized the Chair to execute the Contract to purchase the Lochloosa Creek Flatwoods- Brown property. .
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
Funding for fee simple acquisition ($1,550,008) of Lochloosa Creek Flatwoods -Brown, and due diligence ($141,056) is established in Fund#: 021.41.4160.537.61.00 - 6194101 Lochloosa Creek Flatwoods - Brown; and Fund #: 021.41.4160.537.31.00 6184160: WSPP - Gen. Op. & Due Diligence (Operating Expense). If ACT’s Phase 3 NAWCA grant is funded, the County will receive up to $500,000 in reimbursement of acquisition costs, to be deposited in Fund#: 021.41.4160.537.61.00.
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Strategic Guide:
Strategic Guide
Environment
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Background:
Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) is preparing a Phase 3 application for a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant which awards funds through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to protect wetland habitat. After two successful previous NAWCA grant applications in 2020 (Phase 1) and 2021 (Phase 2), ACT’s NAWCA application includes identified wetland areas in eastern Alachua County, specifically, the Lochloosa Creek - Brown project, to be used as match for this third phase of funding. If approved, the grant would reimburse the County for up to $500,000 in land acquisition costs for the project. The Lochloosa Creek Flatwoods - Brown project is currently under contract for fee simple acquisition by the Alachua County and is set to close by August 14, 2022.
This NAWCA grant application requires evidence that ACT is supported by a partner entity that is already committed to the conservation of land and water resources within the NAWCA grant region and that the grant awards will complement those existing conservation efforts in the same region. This partnership allows ACT to identify land acquisition expenditures made by Alachua County as match for grant funding requested from NAWCA. The Alachua County Forever Program’s (ACF) Lochloosa Creek Flatwoods - Brown acquisition project would satisfy this requirement. The Flatwoods - Brown property is currently under contract for acquisition by the County. Closing is expected to occur in August 2022. County staff expects for the closing to occur before the grant agreement will be presented to the Board for consideration, so that the Board will be certain that it can honor its Partnership Contribution before it accepts the grant award.
Alachua County Comprehensive Plan (2019-2040):
• Conservation and Open Space Element: 6.0 LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM; Objective 6.4 “Other Acquisition Programs,” states:
“Coordinate with other programs for the acquisition and management of natural areas and open space for recreational, open space and conservation purposes.”
Policy 6.4.1 states:
“The County shall seek to maximize the effectiveness of local revenue sources by using them to leverage funds available from federal, state, municipal, private non-profit, and Water Management District programs, such as Florida Forever, Florida Communities Trust (FCT), Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL), and Save-Our-Rivers (SOR).”
Policy 6.4.2 states:
“The County shall provide support, in the form of information, coordination, assistance in obtaining grants, and other support activities to organizations and agencies that acquire and protect natural areas and open space for conservation, open space, and recreational purposes.”